Examination table, particularly in machines for nuclear magnetic resonance image detection

ABSTRACT

An examination table, particularly in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance image detecting machines of the so-called dedicated type, i.e. designed for detecting images of specific body parts, has an at least one-degree-of-freedom constraint ( 5, 6 ) to the machine ( 1 ), and has supports ( 6, 7, 12, 402, 302 ) which allow the examination table ( 2 ) to be moved in at least one, preferably two or more degrees of freedom. Advantageously, the examination table ( 2 ) is mounted in such a way as to be able to slide ( 7, 6 ) on a stationary guide ( 5 ) which is fixed with a predetermined orientation with respect to the detection cavity ( 101 ) of the machine ( 1 ) and it may be further translated in both senses ( 6, 7 ) along said guide ( 5 ) and rotated ( 11, 12 ) about an axis ( 402 ) perpendicular to the direction it follows while sliding on the guide ( 5 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an examination table, particularly in NuclearMagnetic Resonance image detecting machines of the so-called dedicatedtype, i.e., designed for detecting images of specific body parts.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Currently, in the so-called dedicated Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imagedetecting machines, i.e. those designed for detecting images of specificbody parts, and having an image detection cavity of such a size as toprevent the insertion of the whole body (like in the so-calledtotal-body machines), the patient is asked to sit or lay down on a chairor on an examination table. The latter are of the conventional type, andhave no particular construction characteristics to comply with specificfunctions, examinations and corresponding positions of the patient withrespect to the machine and to the detection cavity. Therefore, prior artexamination tables and chairs are not only very complex and expensive,in order to ensure that the patient always has the right position withrespect to the detection cavity, but are also uncomfortable andinconvenient for patient positioning. The high costs and theuncomfortable and time-consuming positioning operations required byprior art equipment are the most significant drawbacks thereof.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

The invention has an object to provide an examination table of the typedescribed hereinbefore, which allows, by simple and inexpensivearrangements, for easy and fast patient positioning operations,requiring a minimum number of adjustments, without affecting the comfortof the patient during the image detection process.

The invention achieves the above objects by providing an examinationtable of the type described hereinbefore, which is included in dedicatedmachines for detecting Nuclear Magnetic Resonance images of specificbody parts, and wherein the examination table has an at leastone-degree-of-freedom constraint to the image detection machine, and hassupport means which allow the examination table to be moved in at leastone, preferably two or more degrees of freedom.

In a preferred embodiment, the examination table is mounted is such away as to be able to slide on a stationary guide, which is fixed with apredetermined orientation with respect to the detection cavity of themachine, and it may be further translated in both senses along saidguide and rotated about an axis perpendicular to the direction itfollows while sliding on the guide.

Particularly, the rectilinear translation guide is oriented in thedirection of insertion/extraction of one part of the patient body in orfrom the detection cavity by a simple straight-line translationmovement, while the examination table may be also rotated about an axisperpendicular to said translation direction.

Especially, the rectilinear guide is horizontal, while the axis ofrotation of the examination table is vertical.

The examination table advantageously has three points of support, i.e.,two wheels, at two corners of one end side thereof, said wheels beingalso rotatable about a vertical axis, and another point of support,coinciding with a vertical axis of rotation which corresponds to themedian longitudinal axis at the opposite end side of the examinationtable.

The vertical axis of rotation is provided at the top of a supportingcolumn, which has a lower carriage with at least three points ofsupport, i.e. at least one central sliding wheel, associated to theguide, and at least two lateral wheels, touching the ground, and beingalso rotatable about a vertical axis.

Advantageously, there are provided at least two wheels associated to theguide, one behind the other in the median vertical plane of theexamination table.

According to a further characteristic, the examination table has astationary part, whose length substantially corresponds to the averagelength of the trunk, and an overturning extension, provided at one end,having the function of a footrest. The footrest may be overturned into aprojecting position, in which it extends the examination table, and intoa rest position, in which it is substantially parallel to, or possiblypartially hidden in the corresponding end side of the examination table.

The examination table is anatomically curved, the curved region beingmoved towards the end side with the two wheels, i.e., in the areaintended to receive the pelvis.

In the pelvis area, i.e., in the curved region, there is provided oneremovable armrest for each side.

The vertical axis of rotation of the examination able, corresponding tothe third point of support hereof, is provided in the region associatedto the upper back.

The substantially plane back-supporting area extends with apredetermined inclination with respect to the wholly horizontalorientation, i.e. with a rising inclination from the lowest zone of thehollow formed by the curve.

The opposite, much shorter branch, associated to legs, and provided withthe overturning footrest, is also oriented with a certain risinginclination towards the end side of the examination table associatedthereto.

Thanks to the arrangements described above, the examination tableaccording to the invention has a very simple, stout, safe, comfortableand cost-effective construction. The parts to be jointed to theexamination table are only the footrest, the wheels and the verticalaxis of rotation. By connecting the examination table to the machinethrough the horizontal rectilinear rail, the approaching motion of thepatient towards the machine, and the insertion of the limb to beexamined therein, may be limited to a single degree of freedom, i.e. toa translation movement in said direction of insertion/extraction of thelimb in and from the detection cavity.

Patient positioning, for performing examinations of different limbs,particularly arms and legs, may be obtained by simply rotating theexamination table about the vertical axis.

The examination table according to the invention is particularlyprovided in combination with a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imagedetecting machine having a tubular detection cavity, i.e. of the typefor alternatively detecting images of different parts of a leg and foot,and of an arm and hand. Here, the construction described above isnotably advantageous. The guide and hence the translation movement ofthe examination table in the direction of insertion/extraction of thebody part in and from the detection cavity are oriented parallel to theaxis of the tubular detection cavity and are contained in the verticalplane also containing the central axis thereof. In order to examine oneleg or one arm, for example a knee or a foot and one hand, a simplerotation of the examination table is needed, in the first case with thelongitudinal axis parallel to the translation direction, and in thesecond case in one of the two opposite positions transverse,particularly perpendicular to the translation direction. Further, theoverturning footrest allows the patient to take a sufficientlycomfortable position, so that he can keep the part under examinationstill, be it a part of an arm or of a leg. During the examination of armparts, the footrest may be turned outwardly into the operating position,while, in order to examine a leg part, especially a knee, it must beturned into the retracted position, substantially flush with theexamination table end facing the detection cavity. In this way, theexamination table may be approached to the cavity to the extent requiredto bring the knee in the imaging zone, without forcing the patient totake an uncomfortable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention and the advantages derivedtherefrom will appear more clearly from the following description of anembodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonanceimaging, machine, with an examination table according to the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational and plan views respectively of the machineaccording to FIG. 1, with the examination table rotated to a positionperpendicular to the direction of insertion/extraction of the body partin and from the detection cavity.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views like those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, of themachine according to FIG. 1, with the examination table orientedparallel to the direction of insertion/extraction of the body part to beexamined in and from the detection cavity.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of the examination table according tothe previous figures, with the mattress and one armrest being detachedtherefrom.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the examination table according to FIG. 6,with the two armrests being detached therefrom and set up for mounting.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevational side views of the examination table withthe footrest in the idle and operating positions respectively.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the wheels used for sliding along thetranslation guide which is integral with the machine.

FIG. 11 is a view of a wheel as seen in the direction of the translationguide.

FIG. 12 shows a detail of the overturning footrest.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the examination table end, associated tothe head, as taken across the rotatable support column.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are top and magnified side views respectively of theother construction details of the examination table and of the bearingstrengthening structure thereof, outlined by dashed and dotted lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed figures, a Nuclear Magnetic ResonanceImage detecting machine 1, of the type designed for detecting images ofspecific body parts or limbs, like a leg, a knee, a foot, an elbow, ahand, an arm, etc. has a tubular detection cavity 101, wherein the limbor the body part, i.e., the arm or the leg, are inserted in a directionparallel or approximately parallel to the axis of the tubular detectioncavity 101. See FIG. 1. Hence, in these machines, the patient is alwaysmeant to stay outside the image detection cavity 101. In combinationwith the machine, there is provided an examination table 2, which ismounted in such a way as to be able to slide on wheels 3, 4 on atranslation guide 5 which is integral with the machine 1, and orientedtowards the axis of the tubular detection cavity 101, preferably andparticularly being contained in the vertical plane which passes throughthe central axis of said detection cavity 101. The guide 5 has apredetermined length and is shaped so as to ensure that the shoes, orparticularly the accordingly shaped rollers 6, which are provided in acorresponding position in a carriage 7 of the examination table, do notperform transversely staggered movements, but only one translationmovement longitudinal to the guide.

The examination table consists of a supporting plane 102, having anupper hollow, in the form of a tub 202, of the type which flaringlytapers towards the bottom, and being meant to receive a rear projection,accordingly flared 108, of a mattress 8, there being provided removablemeans for fastening the mattress 8 to the supporting plane 102. Thesemeans may be of any type, for example in the form of snap fasteners, orconsisting of fastening tapes of the type known under the name ofVelcro, or similar. See FIGS. 6 and 7.

The total height of the examination table substantially corresponds tothe height of the lower side of the detection cavity 101, there beingprovided that position tolerances with respect to height are positivelyuncritical for patient positioning, so that the patient is always ableto introduce the limb to be examined into the detection cavity 101,while being in a lying position.

The bearing plane 102 and, accordingly, the mattress 8 are concave, withthe axis of curvature being transverse to the longitudinal extension ofthe examination table, and with the lower and curved zone being providedcloser to one of the two examination table ends 2, i.e., the one whichwill be referred to, hereafter and in claims, as the feet end. In thedirection of the feet end, and of the end being opposite thereto,referred to as the head end, the bearing plane 102 and the mattress 8are substantially straight, or slightly concavely curved, and are anywayoriented on a plane which is inclined with respect to the horizontalplane, in a rising direction towards the associated end. The examinationtable 2 has such a length that the feet end terminates substantially onthe same level as a statistically intermediate point of the leg,particularly between the knee and the trunk. Obviously, the patient maybe positioned either slightly staggered with respect to the feet end, orslightly staggered with respect to the head end, according to the typeof limb to be examined.

The feet end has two vertical legs 302, each having, at its end, a wheel3, provided with brakes 103, and rotatable not only about a horizontalaxis, but also about a vertical axis. See FIG. 1.

In the zone associated with the head end, the examination table, i.e.,the plane 102 is supported by a fulcrum, which coincides with thelongitudinal median axis thereof, and around which the plane 102 mayrotate about a vertical axis 402. This may be obtained thanks to twohorizontal or substantially horizontal plates 9, 10, which are connectedin such a way as to be in mutual rotation about one intermediate point,which is substantially perpendicular thereto. An upper plate 10 isattached to the lower side of the bearing plane 102, or to a flangeassociated thereto, by means of a wedge-shaped spacer 11, which acts asa support, whose inclination corresponds to that provided for thebearing plane 102 in said attachment point. The other plate, the lowerplate 9 is carried at the top of a vertical column 12, extending upwardsfrom a lower carriage 7.

The carriage 7 has two successive translation rollers 6 in the medianarea and in line along the guide 5, said rollers 6 being shaped so as tobe complementary to the cross section of the guide. See FIG. 11. Therollers 6 are supported, by an upper plate 107 of the carriage 7 throughforks 207. The rollers 6 may be also elastically supported by elasticmeans, for example springs 13, interposed between a support bracket 307,for example an equalizer or a bracket being able to swing or slidevertically and a matching member, integral with the plate 107. Thesprings 13 may be associated to with means 14 for adjusting theirpreloading state, for example screw means for generating a certainprecompression of the swinging arm 307 on the spring 14. See FIG. 13.

The carriage 7 also has two transverse wings 407, which aresubstantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal median axis,each one bearing, at a certain distance from said axis and symmetricallythereto, one wheel 4, which is to touch the ground and to rotate bothabout a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis. The wheels 4 may bealso provided with braking or locking means 104.

The bearing plane 102, the carriage 7 and the column 12 all have aconstruction provided with an inner load bearing core, for example madeof metal, like sheet metal, or similar, or of any material suiting itsmechanical characteristics, said core having mounts 112 for fasteningcoverings or cases 15, made of a material unfit for bearing structures.Hence, finishing operations are greatly simplified thanks to thissubstantially modular structure. So, for example, the bearing plane ofthe examination table also has a load bearing core 702, only shown byway of indication, which is covered by a case, providing it with thedesired exterior shape.

In the hollow area 602, being designed to receive the pelvis, thebearing plane 102 has one mount on each side, for one armrest 17respectively. The armrests 17 consist of elements having anapproximately trapezoid shape, when seen in a side view. The means forremovable attachment thereof to the plane 102 of the examination table2, consist of a pair of transverse pins 117, which are meant to engagein holes 116 matching the pins 16 on the sides of the plane 102 of theexamination table. One pin, being radially larger, acts as a supportpin, and the other has the function to prevent the armrest 17 fromrotating about the support pin.

A footrest 20 is attached to the two legs 302 at the corners of theexamination table end, associated with feet. The footrest is supportedso as to turn about a horizontal axis, between at least one outwardlyprojecting operating position, and an idle position, in which it issubstantially parallel to the plane subtended by the two legs 302 of theexamination table, or may be even retracted so as to be hidden in arecess formed between the two legs, and partially in the two legs 302,appropriately shaped.

The footrest 20 is hinged about a horizontal axis, transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the examination table 2, and located at anintermediate height between the ground and the plane 102. The height ofthe hinging axis is chosen in such a way that the patient may have histrunk laid, while the lower part of the leg, from the knee down, issubstantially vertical and the foot rests on the footrest 20. Thisallows the patient to be in a relatively comfortable and stableposition, i.e. with his body on the same axis as the detection cavity 5,when images of a foot region, or of the leg region below the knee are tobe detected. Conversely, in order to detect images of the knee, thefootrest 20 is turned to the idle position, allowing the examinationtable 2 to get closer to the machine 1, while the leg under examinationrests on the structure of the machine 1, and the other leg is keptslightly bent in a relatively comfortable position, forming an invertedV, with the knee up, or kept sideways, in said inverted V position.

Obviously, the vertical position of the hinging axis may be easilyadjustable, by providing that the hinge is mounted on a sliding saddle,and that it may be locked in its position in two lateral guides, eachfixed to a leg 720.

In most cases, by setting the height of the hinging axis of the footrest20 to the average body size of patients, the hinging axis may be fixed,as in the present example.

Referring to FIG. 12, the footrest 20 has a central extension 120,forming a first fork 220, on the side designed to be jointed. The firstfork 220 has, on its two branches, two through holes, for the passage ofa horizontal and transverse hinging pin, which passes through coincidentholes formed on the two branches of a second fork 802, projecting out ofthe examination table end 102, and whose branches superpose the innerfaces of the two branches of the first fork 220. Between the branches ofthe second inner fork 802 and those of the first outer fork 220, thereare provided two plates 902. The latter have means for attachment to thebranches of the second fork 802, for example pins or pegs, schematicallyshown by their axis, indicated as 23, the hole for the passage of thehinging pin 21 and a hole 24, at a predetermined radial and angulardistance from the hinging axis 21, for engaging a locking tooth or pin25, which is alternately movable in the axial direction of the hole 24to a position in which it is retracted from the hole. 24 and to aposition in which it is engaged in the hole 24, said engagement positioncorresponding the footrest 20 being locked in the outwardly overturnedoperating position.

The locking pin 25 is slidably supported in a tubular guide 26, integralwith the corresponding branch of the first fork 220, and is subject tothe action of an elastic member, preferably a spring 27, which stablypushes it into the position in which it is retracted from the hole 24,and against a retraction end-of-stroke matching member 28. The latterextends beyond the diameter of the pin and forms, together with anannular enlarged wall, a guide for a driving rod 29, which has, at itsfree end, a wedge-shaped surface having the function of a cam 129. Whenthe rod 29, together with the wedge-shaped cam 129, slides transverse tothe axis of the locking pin 25, it causes the pin to move to theposition in which it is engaged in the hole 24, against the action ofthe spring 27. The rod 29 extends up to the lateral area of the footrest20, which is shaped like a box, and the end opposite to the cam 129 isjointed into an intermediate point of an operating lever 30, whosefulcrum 31 corresponds to its end inside the footrest 20, whereas itprojects by a driving button or shaped end, at its free end, into alateral niche 320 of the footrest 20. The lever 30, and thereafter therod 29 and the cam 120 are stably pushed into the position in which thepin 25 is engaged in the hole 24 against the action of the spring 27, byanother spring 32. Hence, the lever 30 need only be driven to disengagethe locking pin 25 from the hole 24, in order to unlock the footrest 20from the operating position, and to bring it into the inwardly turnedidle position, against the legs 302.

The figures show another characteristic, consisting in that the plane102 of the examination table 2 has several cavities, recesses or niches,both on its ends and sides. These hollows are indicated as 35, 36 andhandle elements 33 are fastened thereat. The handle elements 33 and theniches 35, 36 are so shaped that the former may be easily andcomfortably grasped, although they do not protrude, or project out ofthe space occupied by the plane 102, unless to an insignificant extent.

FIGS. 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 show the potentialities and functions of theexamination table according to the invention.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the examination table is oriented transverse,particularly perpendicular to the axis of the detection cavity 101, andhence of the translation guide 5. In this position, the footrest 20 maybe set in any position, as the patient desires. This arrangement of theexamination table is particularly recommended for the treatment of armsand hands. In this case, part of the patient body comfortably lays onthe examination table, whereas the arm to be treated, or the oneassociated to the hand to be treated, is outwardly oriented, in thenatural position in which it is held out transverse to the body, whichposition is also substantially on the same axis as the detection cavity101. So, the patient takes a perfectly comfortable position,corresponding to the functional characteristics of the limb. In thisway, he can more easily keep his limb relaxed and still during the imagedetection process. The introduction and the extraction of the arm intoand from the detection cavity 101 is simply obtained by translating theexamination table 2 along the guide 5. Thanks to the fact that theexamination table 2 may be rotated about the vertical axis 402, theorientation of the examination table 2 may be adjusted with respect tothat of the detection cavity 101 without interruption and in such a wayas to obtain the best patient positioning.

In order to detect images of one leg or parts thereof, the examinationtable 2 is rotated until its longitudinal axis takes a positionsubstantially parallel to the axis of the detection cavity 101. In thisposition, the patient, on the examination table 2 is oriented in such away that his legs are substantially aligned with the detection cavity101. The leg is introduced in the correct position into the detectioncavity 101 and extracted therefrom, by a translation movement along theguide 5. This case also provides that the examination table 2 may beangularly displaced to be adjusted with respect to the axis of thedetection cavity 101.

According to the extent whereto a leg is inserted into the detectioncavity 101, the footrest 20 is in the operating position, or turned tothe idle position. As a rule, the footrest 20 may be kept in theoperating position when a foot or a heel are to be examined. Conversely,when images of a knee are to be detected, the footrest is to be broughtto the idle position, so that the examination table may be furtherapproached to the opening of the detection cavity 101.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described andillustrated herein, but may be varied, especially as regardsconstruction, without departure from the guiding principle disclosedabove and claimed below.

What is claimed is:
 1. An examination table for use with a NuclearMagnetic Resonance image detecting machine designed for detecting imagesof specific body parts, the examination table comprises: a supporthaving two ends and two sides; an at least one-degree-of-freedomconstant for enabling the examination table to move toward and away fromthe machine; support means which allow the examination table to be movedin at least one degree of freedom along the constraint; wherein thesupport means includes three points of support, the three pointsincluding two wheels, coinciding with two corners of one of said ends ofthe support, said wheels being also rotatable about a vertical axis, andanother of the three points of support coinciding with a vertical axisof rotation which corresponds to a median longitudinal axis at the otherof said ends.
 2. An examination table for use with a Nuclear MagneticResonance image detecting machine designed for detecting images ofspecific body parts, the examination table comprises: a support havingtwo ends and two sides; an at least one-degree-of-freedom constraint forenabling the examination table to move toward and away from the machine;support means which allow the examination table to be moved in at leastone degree of freedom along the constraint; wherein the examinationtable has a removable locking means and a stationary part, saidexamination table having a length that substantially corresponds to theaverage length of the human trunk, and an overturning extension providedat one end, having the function of a footrest, which may be alternatelyoverturned and locked, by the removable locking means into a projectingposition in which it extends the examination table, and into a restposition, in which it is substantially parallel to the corresponding endof the support.
 3. An examination table for use with a Nuclear MagenticResonance imaging detecting machine designed for detecting images ofspecific body parts, the examination table comprises: a support havingtwo ends and two sides; an at least one-degree-of-freedom constraint forenabling the examination table to move toward and away from the machine;support means which allow the examination table to be moved in at leastone degree of freedom along the constraint; a bearing plane of theexamination table has, at its top, the form of a tub, and a mattress,which is shaped so as to correspond to the bearing plane, said mattresshaving a projection on a bottom side, whose shape and size substantiallycorrespond to the bearing plane.
 4. An examination table for use with aNuclear Magnetic Resonance image detecting machine designed fordetecting images of specific body parts, the examination tablecomprises: a support having two ends and two sides; an at leastone-degree-of-freedom constraint for enabling the examination table tomove toward and away from the machine; means which allow the examinationtable to be moved in at least one degree of freedom along theconstraint; a branch adjacent one of said two ends provided with anoverturning footrest and oriented with a rising inclination towards oneof the sides of the support.
 5. An examination table for use with aNuclear Magnetic Resonance image detecting machine designed fordetecting images of specific body parts, the examination tablecomprises: a support having two ends and two sides; an at leastone-degree-of-freedom constraint for enabling the examination table tomove toward and away from the machine; support means which allow theexamination table to be moved in at least one degree of freedom alongthe constraint; a footrest located at an intermediate height withrespect to a beating plane of the examination table, so that a patientmay lay his feet thereon, while lying and with bent knees.
 6. Anexamination table as claimed in any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, whereinthe table is mounted in such a way as to be able to slide the constraintwhich is fixed with a predetermined orientation with respect to adetection cavity of the machine and the table may be further translatedalong said constraint and rotated about an axis perpendicular to adirection it follows while sliding on the constraint.
 7. An examinationtable as claimed in claim 6, wherein the constraint is oriented suchthat a direction of insertion/extraction of the one part of the body inor from the detection cavity is accomplished by a simple straight-linetranslation movement, while the examination table may be also rotatedabout the axis perpendicular to said direction.
 8. An examination tableas claimed in claim 7, wherein the stationary guide is horizontal, whilethe axis of rotation of the examination table is vertical.
 9. Anexamination table as claimed in claim 6, wherein the examination tablecan be selectively placed in either one of two angular positions,rotated 90° with respect to each other and with respect to thestationary guide for moving in a direction of insertion/extraction fromthe machine, in one of the two angular positions, a longitudinal axis ofthe examination table is substantially parallel to the stationary guide,and in a second of the two angular positions the longitudinal axis issubstantially perpendicular to said stationary guide, the one positionbeing used for detecting images of one or both legs, and the secondposition being used for detecting images of one or both arms.
 10. Anexamination table as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the at leastone-degree-of-freedom constraint including a stationary guide; asupporting column which has a lower carriage with at least one centralsliding wheel associated with the constraint, and at least two lateralwheels touching a ground, and being also rotatable about a respectivevertical axis.
 11. An examination table as claimed in claim 10, whereinthere are at least two wheels associated with the constraint, alignedone behind another in a median vertical plane of the examination table.12. An examination table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the examinationtable is anatomically curved with a curved region at the end with thetwo wheels in an area intended to receive the pelvis.
 13. An examinationtable as claimed in claim 12, wherein a substantially planeback-supporting part extends with a predetermined inclination withrespect to a wholly horizontal orientation, and has a rising inclinationfrom a lowest zone of the curved region.
 14. An examination table asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical axis of rotation of theexamination table, corresponding to the another point of supportthereof, is located in a first area of the examination table, while theopposite end having two legs, each at one corner, includes a footrestbeing hinged therebetween.
 15. An examination table as claimed in claim1, wherein the examination table has a core made of bearing and rigidmaterial, and having covering elements being mounted thereon, withdifferent exterior shapes and functions.
 16. An examination table asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the core is metal.
 17. An examination tableas claimed in claim 3, wherein the examination table has at least onearmrest removably mounted on one of the sides of the support.
 18. Anexamination table as claimed in claim 17, wherein the armrest has a pairof supporting pins, which are meant to be inserted in correspondingholes of an attachment plate on a side wall of the bearing plane.
 19. Anexamination table as claimed in claim 17, wherein the armrest isprovided on a side of an area of the table designed to receive a pelvisarea.
 20. An examination table as claimed in claim 17, wherein there isa pair of armrests removably mounted on each side of the examinationtable.